Lionel Messi is still refusing to confirm his 2026 World Cup plans, with the all-time great leaving Argentina and the rest of a global audience guessing on whether he will form part of a global title defence from the reigning champions next summer. The mercurial No.10 remains part of Lionel Scaloni’s squad for now, but says he does not “want to be a burden”.
Lionel Messi admits that he and wife Antonela Roccuzzo are “constantly talking” about a future return to Barcelona. They bid an emotional farewell to Camp Nou in 2021 when, amid financial struggles for La Liga giants, no new contract could be agreed. The Messi family headed to Paris, before ending up in Miami, but they remain determined to retrace steps to Catalunya at some stage.
Lionel Messi has sent an emotional message to Barcelona fans after making a secret return to Camp Nou. The Argentine superstar severed career-long ties with the Catalan giants in 2021, but has made no secret of his desire to retrace steps to familiar surroundings at some stage. He has been back in the city during a break from MLS duties with Inter Miami, allowing him to take in upgrades to the iconic stadium.
Lionel Messi is being backed to emulate the achievements of eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo by also reaching 1,000 career goals. Portuguese superstar CR7 is closing in on that figure while plying his club trade for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Argentine GOAT Messi is also being tipped to hit that notable milestone after signing a contract extension in MLS with Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass to lead Inter Miami past Nashville SC and into the Eastern Conference semifinals. After last weekend’s defeat at GEODIS Stadium forced a decisive third match, Miami responded with authority, shaking off the nerves that had built up during the week to set up a clash with FC Cincinnati.
Galatasary club president Dursun Ozbek has dropped a massive hint that the Turkish giants will make a sensational move for Argentina maestro Lionel Messi. Gala have dominated Turkish football in recent seasons, winning three consecutive titles and notably tallying a record-breaking 102 points back in 2023-24. And now Ozbek believes he can convince Messi to swap Inter Miami for the Turkish capital.
Sir David Beckham celebrated his knighthood with close friends Gary Neville and Guy Ritchie as he lavishly splashed out on champagne and enjoyed a party in London. The Manchester United legend's long-awaited knighthood was confirmed in the King's Birthday Honours list in June for his services to sport and charity. He received the award from King Charles III at a ceremony earlier this week in Berkshire.
Lionel Messi scored twice and added an assist, while Tadeo Allende bagged a brace as Inter Miami thumped Nashville 4-0 to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Herons were dominant throughout, leaning on their star man to cruise past their opponents, with Jordi Alba also providing an assist as Miami sealed their first-ever playoff series win.
Liverpool star Federico Chiesa, who was once a teammate of Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, settled the GOAT debate as he picked Lionel Messi over the Al-Nassr star. It’s the question that has divided football fans for nearly two decades, and still, when both legends are at the twilight of their respective careers, the debate rages on. There have been contrasting opinions, but Chiesa has no doubt that the crown belongs to one man, and he is Messi.
The Herons might miss the Uruguayan when they take on Nashville Saturday night, yet his absence could offer some answers as to how they function going forward
Inter Miami will be without Luis Suarez for Saturday’s decisive Game 3 against Nashville SC after MLS denied the striker’s suspension appeal. Head coach Javier Mascherano confirmed the decision on Friday, noting Suarez had sought to overturn the one-match ban ahead of the series finale, with a semifinal berth on the line.
Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen claims that Cristiano Ronaldo "would love" to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami as two all-time greats approach the end of their record-shattering careers. It has, however, been suggested that Hollywood would be a more likely MLS landing spot for CR7 if opportunities to join teams in Los Angeles materialised.
Lionel Messi has hinted that he will form part of Argentina’s squad at the 2026 World Cup, with the all-time great expecting that event to be “extraordinary”. Questions have been asked of whether Messi, who will turn 39 next summer, will grace another international tournament. He is, however, excited about what the United States, Canada and Mexico have to offer.
Lionel Messi has responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s claim that winning the World Cup is not something that he is overly concerned about, as success in that competition will not define his legacy. Messi has savoured success on the grandest of stages and considers his triumph with Argentina at Qatar 2022 to be the “ultimate” accolade in his record-shattering career.
After claiming the MLS Golden Boot, Lionel Messi has been named to the MLS Best XI for the second time since joining Inter Miami. The recognition comes after Messi finished with the second-most goal contributions in a single season in MLS history and became the second player in league history to lead the league in goals and assists.
Inter Miami star Luis Suarez has been suspended for Saturday's do-or-die playoff game against Nashville SC, robbing the Herons of their starting striker with their season on the line. The suspension comes following an Inter Miami appeal, but the decision was upheld, which means Miami will play Saturday's match without the Uruguayan star.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo insists his football legacy will not be "defined" by whether he matches Lionel Messi's success at the World Cup. The Al-Nassr star appears to have performed a U-turn based on his latest interview, after initially claiming it would be a "dream" to lift the famous trophy before retiring. However, the icon has now insisted it does not matter what happens at next summer's tournament.
Fraizer Campbell has, during an exclusive interview with GOAL, billed the long-running GOAT debate which pitches Cristiano Ronaldo against eternal rival Lionel Messi as “sad”. The former Manchester United forward, who once worked alongside CR7 at Old Trafford, has urged supporters around the world to enjoy two all-time greats for as long as they are around.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told that his GOAT battle with eternal rival Lionel Messi is “not even close”, with former Brazil international Filipe Luis explaining why Argentina’s iconic No.10 is the undisputed greatest of all-time. The ex-Atletico Madrid and Chelsea defender has faced plenty of iconic figures down the years, and considers Messi to be the pick of the bunch.
Neymar’s future with Santos remains up in the air as the Brazil star approaches the end of his current contract. Having recently recovered from a muscle injury, the 33-year-old finally returned to action in last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Fortaleza in Serie A. Club chief Marcelo Teixeira wants the ex-Barcelona forward to stay with the club until the World Cup, but has warned the player that there are financial limits when it comes to agreeing a new contract.
Lionel Messi may now be dazzling fans in Miami, but Barcelona remains close to his heart. The Argentine legend and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, threw a spectacular FC Barcelona-themed party for their eldest son Thiago’s 13th birthday, complete with the club’s iconic colours, the “Mes Que un Club” motto, and a cake shaped like Camp Nou — a touching nod to where it all began for La Pulga.
Former USMNT star Brad Friedel has told GOAL how Inter Miami could “limit the risks” involved in a deal that would see Neymar reunited with Lionel Messi. The ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward is seeing a move to MLS speculated on. Neymar will become a free agent at the end of the year, as his contract in Brazil with Santos runs down, meaning that a new challenge in North America could be sought.
Nashville managed to withstand the power of Inter Miami and Lionel Messi, earning a 2-1 victory on Saturday night to force a decisive third game in their MLS playoff first-round series. They took advantage of their home crowd and a strong start to contain Las Garzas, who came close to equalizing late in the match through their Argentine captain.
Inter Miami CF
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